The Red Cross for Merit was instituted in 1914 to award special merits
to the Netherlands Red Cross. During world War II the cross was produced
by Spinks in the UK. These medals were of some higher quality than the
domestic version.

The medal looks quite impressive with the four lions on the corners,
the crown and the white-red enamel. Until 1978 the text showed "Nederlandsche
Roode Kruis". The post-1978 version shows the text "Nederlandse
Rode Kruis".